ORF contribution under fire: Constitutional Court examines legal question!

ORF contribution under fire: Constitutional Court examines legal question!

The dispute over the ORF contribution is becoming more heated! The Constitutional Court (VfGH) is facing a significant review of the ORF contribution law, which brings the public broadcaster around 700 million euros annually. According to reports from 5min, numerous complaints have been filed alleging that the law violates constitutional rights to equality and property rights. The main point of the complaints is the finding that the obligation to pay contributions does not take into account whether citizens actually use the ORF offerings or are able to do so.

What is particularly explosive is the criticism that the legal regulation does not differentiate between the different types of reception - be it via cable, satellite or internet. This means that people in rural areas in particular, where the technical infrastructure is often inadequate, are disproportionately burdened. Furthermore, the determination of the amount of the contribution for the years 2024 to 2026, which was determined by law instead of being decided by the ORF Board of Trustees, is being challenged, as can be seen from the VfGH document, which also raises other critical points for review.

Legal dispute over ORF financing

The current legal disputes are not without history. As early as 2022, the VfGH had declared the GIS fee at the time unconstitutional because the obligation to pay was linked to the ownership of receiving devices. This time, the Supreme Court could clarify crucial questions about the constitutional basis after all ongoing proceedings before the Federal Administrative Court were suspended until the decision is announced, as reported by 5min. The coming rulings could have a massive impact on the ORF financing system and its legal basis, which for many is a critical point in the discussion about the future of ORF fees.